U.S. Ice Sports Complex shut down over structural damage

Fairview Heights, IL (KSDK) - A local ice rink has been shut down because of possible structural damage.

The managers at U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview Heights realized they had a problem earlier in the week and have since kept the doors closed.

This is a rink's busiest season with hockey seasons all starting.

"I don't know what we are going to do that's our rink we don't have any plans to go anywhere else," said Brien Bednara, who's been going to the Fairview Heights rink for nearly 20 years.

Now his home away from home needs some TLC.

The complex released this statement: "The U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview Heights has suffered structural damage to the building, including ice surfaces, as a result of mine subsidence."

The complex has apparently fallen victim to underground mines. NewsChannel 5 has been told there are cracks inside the facility and even on the ice itself.

Bednara says thousands of people use the facility including his league, the Scott Hockey League and Tuesday night he was the bearer of bad news.

"I had to call all of my captains and say call your players and tell them there's no game, no games until further notice," said Bednara.

The statement continued to say: "Management of the facility, early Tuesday afternoon, made the decision to suspend operations until further assessments can be made by the Department of Natural Resources."

So as of now, Bednara doesn't have an option for himself or for his high school son who also plays at the U.S. Ice Sports Complex.

"The whole high school league, the Missouri High School league I would say at least half of their games are at that rink," said Bednara.

So it looks like at least for now the Bednaras equipment will remain on the garage floor.

There's no word on when the rink will reopen. This issue is well known in the Fairview Heights community as buildings are built on top of old mines.